Early Voter Turnout at 31.38% as of 4 p.m. on Final Day, Lower Than Previous Presidential Election

Lower Turnout Than Previous Presidential Election Due to Consecutive Weekdays
Overwhelming Participation in Honam Region... Jeonnam Records Highest at 52.45%

As of 4:00 p.m. on May 30, the last day of early voting for the 21st presidential election, the nationwide average early voter turnout stood at 31.38%.

According to the National Election Commission, as of 4:00 p.m. on this day, 13,931,865 out of 44,391,871 eligible voters nationwide had participated in early voting.

On the 30th, the last day of early voting for the 21st presidential election, voters visited the early voting site in Sinchon-dong, Seodaemun-gu, Seoul, located near Yonsei University and Ewha Womans University, to cast their votes. At the Sinchon-dong early voting site, there was a case the previous day where out-of-district early voters completed identity verification, received their ballots, and the line waiting to mark their ballots extended outside the polling station. 2025.5.30. Photo by Kang Jinhyung

The nationwide average early voter turnout of 31.38% is 1.38 percentage points lower than the 32.76% recorded at the same time during the previous 20th presidential election. This lower turnout is attributed to the fact that this early voting period fell on Thursday and Friday, both weekdays, unlike the previous election, which included the weekend. Until the morning of this day, the early voter turnout had actually surpassed the record set in the previous presidential election, thanks to the enthusiasm for voting observed the previous day.

By region, Jeonnam recorded the highest turnout at 52.45%, followed by Jeonbuk at 49.03% and Gwangju at 47.92%, with the Honam region showing overwhelming participation. Sejong (36.38%), Gangwon (33.29%), Jeju (32.04%), and Chungbuk (30.44%) also exceeded the national average.

In the Seoul metropolitan area, Seoul recorded 30.84%, Gyeonggi 29.58%, and Incheon 29.57%, all close to the national average. In the Yeongnam region, Gyeongbuk and Gyeongnam both recorded 28.41%, Ulsan 28.46%, and Busan 27.40%, while Daegu had the lowest turnout at 22.84%.

Early voting, which began on May 29, will continue until 6:00 p.m. today at 3,568 early voting sites across the country. Voters must bring a valid ID in order to participate. The 21st presidential election is an early election triggered by the impeachment and removal of former President Yoon Sukyeol, and the main election will be held on June 3.